On Voter Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons
6 million Americans are barred from voting because of state felon disenfranchisement laws.
Florida has the most people affected - 1 in 10 adults, and almost 1 in 4 black adults.
Only Vermont and Maine don't restrict feltons from voting
11 states' restrictions are heavy enough that some convicted felons may lose their vote permanently (AL, AZ, DE, FL, IA, KY, MS, NV, TN, VA, WY)
Democracy Now did a piece describing felon voter disenfranchisement in Florida
Even after conviction and finishing time, an ex-felon has to wait 5-7 years just to petition to be re-enfranchised. Then, application processing times are 8-10 more years. People are stuck waiting over 17 years after release and their right to vote is still not restored.
More from the DN interview with Desmond Meade, "not only can I not vote, I can't buy a home anywhere I want to, and I'm not even allowed to practice law, because I cannot even apply to the Florida Bar until my rights have been restored. Now, I can go to 48 other states and apply to the bar and practice law, but that just reminds me of the days of slavery, when all a slave had to do was cross a state line to get freedom."
I've had to tell more than one friend that they have the right to vote again in CA after their parole is over. Know your rights and help educate others. Don't give up your voice and support efforts (like ) to work against disenfranchisement. Please and thank you.
source - video/text at DN & procon.org
Florida has the most people affected - 1 in 10 adults, and almost 1 in 4 black adults.
Only Vermont and Maine don't restrict feltons from voting
11 states' restrictions are heavy enough that some convicted felons may lose their vote permanently (AL, AZ, DE, FL, IA, KY, MS, NV, TN, VA, WY)
Democracy Now did a piece describing felon voter disenfranchisement in Florida
Even after conviction and finishing time, an ex-felon has to wait 5-7 years just to petition to be re-enfranchised. Then, application processing times are 8-10 more years. People are stuck waiting over 17 years after release and their right to vote is still not restored.
More from the DN interview with Desmond Meade, "not only can I not vote, I can't buy a home anywhere I want to, and I'm not even allowed to practice law, because I cannot even apply to the Florida Bar until my rights have been restored. Now, I can go to 48 other states and apply to the bar and practice law, but that just reminds me of the days of slavery, when all a slave had to do was cross a state line to get freedom."
I've had to tell more than one friend that they have the right to vote again in CA after their parole is over. Know your rights and help educate others. Don't give up your voice and support efforts (like ) to work against disenfranchisement. Please and thank you.
source - video/text at DN & procon.org